Initiatives

Overview

The financial crisis and its economic aftershocks have spawned the first serious examination of the structure of our current banking system and the public policies that have fueled consolidation over the last 30 years and untethered financial institutions from their communities.

Overview

Access to the Internet is an essential infrastructure for any community that cares about economic development, quality of life, and educational opportunities. Unfortunately, most communities are presently dependent on a few unaccountable absentee corporations that act as gatekeepers to...

Overview

Wind and sun are available everywhere, so renewable energy can be economically harnessed at small scales across the country. This nature of renewable energy, and the exponential increase of renewable energy generation, promises to decentralize the nation’s grid system. ...

Overview

Over the last 25 years, a handful of giant companies have grown to dominate the U.S. economy. ILSR challenges the wisdom of this market concentration. Through research and analysis, we have built a compelling case that places that are home to...

Overview

At the founding of the American Republic the word “private” had pejorative connotations. Derived from the Latin word “privare”, private meant to divide or tear apart. A privateer was a pirate. The word “public” was an honorable adjective, often...

Overview

ILSR's Waste to Wealth program helps communities across the country create policies and practices that address citizens' environmental concerns and economic needs. We help citizens fight the incinerators and landfills that pollute their air and water, and drive property...

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The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-27

This week, the FCC made an historic decision in favor of municipal networks in Chattanooga, TN and Wilson, NC. Chris was in Washington, DC to witness the vote, hear the testimony, and celebrate the hard work of several organizations. As Brendan Sasso with the National Journal reported, “The issue is one of the most controversial… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/republican-tennessee-leader-endorses-local-authority

Republican State Senator Janice Bowling from Tennessee is once again speaking out in favor of local telecommunications authority. On Monday, she published an op-ed in the Tennessean titled “Don’t limit high-speed broadband to big cities,” noting that rural communities often have no choice but to build their own infrastructure to obtain fast, reliable, affordable Internet… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/chris-responds-president-obama%E2%80%99s-endorsement-community-networks-mprs-daily-circuit

Minnesota Public Radio’s Daily Circuit (MPR) interviewed Chris about President Obama’s recent endorsment to end restrictions on states that limit local broadband authority. Chris and Danna Mackenzie, executive director of the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development, answered questions about what Obama’s announcement means for faster, cheaper, more reliable Internet for consumers. Chris explained that it’s… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-20

Next week the FCC will make a landmark decision that will affect the future of community networks. Here’s a roundup of stories. Hate Your Internet Service Provider? You Should Have Feb. 26 Circled on Your Calendar by Daniel B. Kline, Motley Fool The state of city-run Internet by Allan Holmes, Center for Public Integrity The Center… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/boulder-uses-new-found-authority-offer-free-wi-fi

Just two months after voters passed ballot measure 2C, the City of Boulder is solidifying plans to offer free Wi-Fi throughout the downtown Civic Area, reports the Boulder Daily Camera. Boulder was one of several Colorado communities that reclaimed local authority last fall. They had no specific project planned but knew they needed to create… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-13-2015

The FCC’s decision to change the definition of broadband continues to make ripples in the muni broadband world. With the speed increased from 4 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up, to 25 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up, 75% of the country is now classified as having either no service, or no choices for their Internet connection…. Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-13-2015

The FCC’s decision to change the definition of broadband continues to make ripples in the muni broadband world. With the speed increased from 4 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up, to 25 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up, 75% of the country is now classified as having either no service, or no choices for their Internet connection…. Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/38-next-century-cities-leaders-sign-letter-fcc-supporting-local-authority

President Obama suggested restoring local telecommunications authority while visiting Cedar Falls in January and a number of local elected officials were ready to back him up. Leaders from 38 members of Next Century Cities recently submitted a public letter to the FCC urging commissioners to consider local autonomy as they consider the Chattanooga and Wilson,… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/38-next-century-cities-leaders-sign-letter-fcc-supporting-local-authority

President Obama suggested restoring local telecommunications authority while visiting Cedar Falls in January and a number of local elected officials were ready to back him up. Leaders from 38 members of Next Century Cities recently submitted a public letter to the FCC urging commissioners to consider local autonomy as they consider the Chattanooga and Wilson,… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/rural-colorado-internet-access-and-mountain-connect-community-broadband-bits-episode-137

Last year was the first year I attended Mountain Connect, an event in the Rockies west of Denver that discusses approaches to improving Internet access. Historically, they focused on rural communities but as co-chair of the event Jeff Gavlinski notes in our discussion this week, they are expanding it to include more urban issues as… Continue reading